4 Steps on How to Oil Your Clipper Blade

Your hair clipper is your trusty grooming device that gives your hair the best haircut it can have. This electromechanical device can take over or greatly reduce the need for scissors when it comes to hairdos and haircuts. It is capable of doing short, precise trims and can also give your head a close shave depending on the comb size. Like any device that has mechanical parts, the best way of maintaining a hair clipper and keeping it functional and efficient is to provide regular lubrication – in short, make it well-oiled, particularly the blades. You may think that such a compact device is hard to oil, but it can be done in 4 easy steps.

1. Clean Out the Blades

Using the clipper for a long time can accumulate hair and dirt into the blade and this can affect the cutting efficiency of the blades. The first thing to remember on how to clean clippers is to clean out the blades of stuck hair by using a brush. You can use a 2-inch paintbrush but we suggest using a soft bristle toothbrush to do the job. It is easier to use, you get a good grip of the brush and you can easily access hard to reach areas behind the blades where the hair and dirt stay.

2. Apply Clipper Spray and Let Dry

The mechanical cleaning is just the first part of the cleaning job on the clipper blade. There might still be hard-to-remove dirt and oil which need to be applied with a clipper spray to soften the dirt and hair. After applying clipper spray, do a second round of brushing to remove the remaining hair and dirt and then do a second spray to wash out the dirt. Aside from cleaning, clipper sprays also sanitize the clipper and keep the blades cool for a long time.

Use a towel or gently dab a paper tissue on the blades to wipe off the clipper spray on the blades.

3. Check the Blade Alignment

Blade alignment checking is an essential part of hair clipper maintenance, especially in salons. Even if the hair clipper is just for personal use, this step should also be done from time to time. Remember to keep the blade parallel or slightly behind the cutter blade. Ensure that the blades are perfectly straight, and not a single blade or tooth bent or protruding. A bent blade or deformed tooth can cause nicks and cuts, which should be avoided in home and salon use.

To adjust the alignment of the blades, use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the clipper blade screws. There’s no need to remove the blades, but just simply apply a gentle nudge on the blades to adjust their position. Do this step using a thin folded cloth or paper. Tighten the screws again and check the alignment while doing so. Make sure that the blades are evenly tightened and correctly aligned.

4. Oil the Clipper

Use a spout bottle or dropper to apply just the right amount of oil into the blades. Regularly putting the right amount of oil can keep your clipper working efficiently and will prolong its lifespan. Be careful not to put too much oil as this can attract dirt, dust and hair clippings, which can turn to sludge and clog up the blade instead.

For even oil application, apply a single of oil on each corner of the blades and 2-4 drops in the middle, where the blade teeth are located. Turn on the clipper so that the oil is evenly spread to the moving parts. Dab any excess oil and your clipper is good for using.

By now, you may have learned the basics of clipper blade oiling. There can be additional steps to the one provided here, depending on the clipper model and manufacturer. Nevertheless, all hair clippers have mechanical parts that need regular oiling. Oiling your hair clipper regularly can ensure that it is safe to use and will remain useful for a long time.

Sarah Williams is a blogger and writer who expresses her ideas and thoughts through her writings. She loves to get engaged with the readers who are seeking for informative contents on various niches over the internet. She is a featured blogger at various high authority blogs and magazines in which she shared her research and experience with the vast online community.